Appearing on the Joe Rose show on WQAM on Wednesday morning Miami Football Coach Manny Diaz says he expects the Offensive Staff to be finalized by this weekend.
Diaz implied that it could be as simple as finalizing the contracts and that they are close. He said today (Wednesday) will not be the day. Diaz had fun with Rose and his partner Zach Krantz about the seemingly infinite rumors surrounding who the new Offensive Coordinator will be on the Miami football staff.
Former North Carolina Head Coach Larry Fedora and former Houston Head Coach Major Applewhite have the two most prominent names mentioned. Toledo Offensive Coordinator Brian Wright and Louisville Quarterbacks Coach Frank Ponce have also been rumored to be on Diaz’s shortlist to replace Thomas Brown.
Brown and the entire Offensive staff were fired by Diaz on New Year’s Eve, a day after Diaz was hired to replace Mark Richt who announced his retirement the day before. Diaz had kept the entire Defensive Staff and did a bit of reshuffling. Jonathan Patke who is the Outside Linebackers Coach was also made the Special Teams Coordinator.
Christy Chirinos of the Sun Sentinel did an exceptional job of transcribing Diaz’s interview with Rose and Krantz. He will likely have a weekly appearance with them during the season. Diaz has already been on a few times since being hired. He began the interview discussing the rumors about the new Offensive Coordinator.
"“I thought sources said we’ve hired about six different guys…That’s the problem. I have to try and fit them all on one staff. This is a process that you’ve got to see through. You’re really not just hiring one guy. You’re hiring a group of guys.You don’t just put guys together, put them in a room and expect stuff to happen. You want to make sure there’s great alignment along the staff, so there’s multiple things that are always occurring at one time and then you’ve got to be respectful of people’s timetables at the time when it can happen.The first third down of the Florida (Gators) game (Aug. 31), no one will remember whether the hire happened on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or a Friday. It will just matter if it was the right guy, and I’ve really been guided by that principle all along. I still really feel good about where it’s going. … It’s coming, I promise. It’s coming.”"
Diaz then elaborated where they are in the process and what has to happen before the new Offensive Coordinator is hired and then announced. He explicitly expressed it will not happen today.
"“Today (Wednesday) is not the day. There’s still a couple things. … I’s getting dotted and T’s getting crossed and so on and so forth. … I think [we are close]. Our goal of getting things sort of situated as we get into the weekend and head off for the final three-week stretch of recruiting is still the plan. It’s still intact.”"
Getting the Offensive staff right going forward is critical for the Miami football staff. Richt’s refusal to make changes on the staff was what essentially led to his decision to retire. Richt lost the power struggle with Athletic Director Blake James and the Board of Trustees. His stubbornness and loyalty did him in.
Diaz is faced with cleaning up the mess that is the Miami offense. Solidifying the quarterback play and getting an Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach who arewilling to be more innovative than Richt’s antiquated Pro Style offense could be the most critical thing that Diaz does in his tenure.
Diaz made it clear less than 24 hours after being hired that he is not after to make tough decisions. He will do what’s best for the team and the program, not the individuals who work for him. If a coach or a player is not working out they won’t be in Coral Gables.